Optical Sensing Ring for Lower-Cost Axial Load Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring axial loads on mechanical components using optical fibers require machining a groove on hard heat-treated materials, increasing manufacturing costs and limiting measurement surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A device with a ring having inner and outer cylindrical surfaces and circumferential grooves, housing an optical sensing fiber, which can be easily mounted and replaced, reducing machining costs and enhancing measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical fiber is accommodated directly on the outer circumferential surface of a mechanical component, then axial load measurement is achieved, but machining cost increases and measurement surface is limited due to hard heat-treated material
Solution Approach 1:
A ring element is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical fiber and the mechanical component. The ring element carries the optical fiber in a circumferential groove and provides a softer material surface that is easier to machine, while still enabling accurate axial load measurement through strain transfer to the optical fiber.
2Measurement precision
If an optical fiber is accommodated directly on the outer circumferential surface of a mechanical component, then axial load measurement is achieved, but the measurement surface is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The ring element is divided into multiple circumferential grooves at different axial positions, allowing the optical fiber to be positioned at multiple locations around the circumference. This segmentation enables measurement at multiple surfaces and locations, expanding the measurement surface area while maintaining accurate axial load measurement.
3Measurement precision
If the optical sensing fiber is integrated into the mechanical component, then measurement accuracy is improved, but replacement difficulty increases when damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fiber is segmented from the mechanical component and integrated only into the replaceable ring element. When the optical fiber is damaged, only the ring element needs to be replaced, not the entire mechanical component, thus reducing replacement difficulty while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical fiber is extracted from direct integration with the mechanical component and positioned within the ring element instead. This extraction allows the optical fiber to be protected within the ring structure and replaced independently when damaged, reducing the complexity of repair operations.
4Ease of manufacture
If a ring element with circumferential grooves is used to house the optical fiber, then manufacturing cost is reduced and replacement is facilitated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring element is designed as a thin-walled structure with circumferential grooves. This thin-walled design simplifies manufacturing while providing sufficient structural support for the optical fiber. The grooves are formed as simple circumferential features that can be manufactured using standard machining operations, reducing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device allows for accurate measurement of axial loads while minimizing manufacturing costs and facilitating easy replacement of optical sensing components.
Implementation Method 1
The optical fiber comprises a sensing part and an evaluation part. The sensing part is located in a circumferential groove of the ring. The evaluation part is arranged outside the ring. The optical fiber is equipped with at least one fiber Bragg grating.
Implementation Method 2
The optical fiber comprises a plurality of fiber Bragg gratings, called FBG, for sensing locations evenly spread around the circumference of a ring
Data Source
AI summary
A device configured to be mounted on a mechanical component and to measure an axial load exerted on the mechanical component, the device including a ring provided with an inner cylindrical surface and with an outer opposite cylindrical surface, the inner and outer cylindrical surfaces delimiting the radial thickness of the ring. The device further provides at least one optical sensing fiber disposed in a first circumferential groove provided on one of the outer and inner cylindrical surfaces of the ring.